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Disclaimer I do not own Fairy Tail. Why would I be writing fanfiction if I owned something like that?

Beta Reader: volfwildman

The past week had not been fun. Natsu and Lisanna had decided that I was the best person to help them hatch the giant egg. This meant them dragging me all over town in order to get my opinion on what would be needed to take care of the egg. At first, it had been entertaining and even slightly fun but that ended when they woke me up in the middle of the night to tell the egg a bedtime story.

It seems like I had almost no free time as those two just kept asking questions or something or another. I draw the line at sleeping on a pile of hay while next to the egg. At least they haven't asked me where eggs/babies come from. I was not willing to answer that question.

Currently, I found myself at the guild trying to get a break while Natsu and Lisanna showed off the egg to various guild members. "You ok their Bishop?" Said Macao from my left as he sipped his drink.

"They have been dragging me everywhere and keep interrupting my sleep for the most stupid things! No, I while not sing to the egg to help it sleep! It's technically already asleep!" I nearly shouted the words before plumping back on to the table with a groan. I just heard Macao and Wakaba chuckle.

I just kept laying on the table and rested. I love (still weird to think or say that word) my sibling, I really do. But if there was one thing that put me on edge more than anything else it was lack of sleep. I was so tempted just to use Vanish and get some peace and quiet.

But I couldn't do that. As annoyed as I was right now, I couldn't just leave those two. One was my little brother and the other was his best friend. I could be cold and a bit of dick but even I wouldn't just leave them.

I let out a sigh as I sit up straight. It was around then that I noticed arguing. I turn to look and see Natsu and Lisanna arguing with Mira. "I don't like you spending so much time together! No sister of mine is going to be so close to a brother of that red-headed hag!" said Mira.

Natsu and Lisanna argued back, mainly about them being free to do what they want. I paid little attention to them at first but then something else caught my attention. That would be the egg that was on the table behind Natsu and Lisanna and how it was rocking back and forth while the kids argued.

Shit! I ran forward as the egg was about to fall. I throw myself into a slide as I just barely caught the egg on its way to the ground. There was a moment of silence as I just stared at the egg in my hands and everyone else just stared at me.

Eventually, I got back on my feet and handed the egg to Natsu who and ran over to me asking if the egg was ok. I gave a quick yes before I went over the still wide-eyed Mira. "Mira," I said while giving her the inhumanly wide smile I shared with my mother and a dark aura surrounded me, "I'm going to kindly ask you to please not insult my siblings again. Also, if you could let your sister have fun that would be very much appreciated." I saw Mira shiver, whether it was from my cold tone or the smile I had no idea. She ended up rapidly nodded her head while backing up, I also think I heard her mumble something about "Devil Women" and "Devil Son".

"The egg's hatching!" I heard Natsu shout from behind me. I turn to see Natsu holding a very rapidly shaking egg while members of the guild gather around him. Eventually, the top of the egg erupted and a shining ball shoot into the air before stopping and with a loud *pop* a small blue kitten with wings formed from the ball.

It lazily floated down from the air before landing on Natsu's head. Everyone in the guild started to talk about the cute little cat while Natsu and Lisanna just look up at him with pure happiness on their face.

I couldn't help the small smile on my face as I sat back down in my chair and laid back to rest. I guess all that annoyance was worth it to see the look on those two's faces.

Mom had taken one look at the newly dubbed Happy and had squealed at the cuteness of the blue cat. After that Happy was just apart of the family. He was constantly around Natsu and the two were nearly inseparable.

After the egg incident, I was finally able to sleep in peace now and was rather enjoying it. I had noticed that Mira was now nervously polite around me just like Mom. But other than that, and the new cat nothing much changed.

As of right now, I found myself sitting on a chair by a wall. I and a rather large amount people were in one of the empty rooms in the mansions. Why? Simple, it was Erza's birthday.

Well, no one knew when she was born so we had just decided the day she joined the guild would be her birthday, same for Natsu. Each of the members of my family had a very different way of celebrating their birthday. Mom and I didn't really do much special for ours other than having a nice dinner with the whole family. Cana liked having a big party at the guild, usually with games being played. Gray preferred just a small little party at a restaurant or some other establishment. Natsu had yet to have his first birthday party but I keep hearing him talking to Lisanna about having a feast for it.

And Erza liked having a decently large party in the mansion with a few guild members being invited. Other than her siblings, people like the guild master were here along with the Strauss siblings even Mira. A few of the adult members were her too but not Macao who was currently taking care of is heavily pregnant wife and Wakaba who was on a job.

Levy was here, I didn't really interact with her much outside of saying hi to each other in the guild library. Jet and Droy were also here and already following Levy like some lost dogs, I believe they already had formed team Shadow Gear. Reedus was in the corner painting a picture with Gray being next to him watching and occasionally asking questions. Laxus had been invited but he was already doing the whole loner and jackass thing, so he hadn't shown up, I think the Thunder Tribe had been made but I wasn't sure.

Overall it was rather crowded with people, everyone was laughing and having a good time. I saw Erza and Cana talking to each other while eating cake both looking very happy. Natsu was digging into his food while Lisanna just laugh at him and Happy was munching on a fish to the side.

Eventually, I heard a loud clap and I along with everyone else turn to Mom who had just gotten everyone's attention. "Ok everyone it's time for the birthday girl to open her presents. Can every gather around the present table please."

At her words, everyone started to move and soon I found myself sitting at a table full of presents along with my other siblings and a few of the kids. Erza sitting at the end with a smile on her face while staring at all her presents.

Mom would hand Erza a present while stating who it's from and Erza would thank whoever it was from and then promptly ripped into the colorfully wrapped package. She got all kinds of things mainly it was weapons and pieces of armor that were enchanted in some form. The presents from the kids were simpler like a handmade painting from Gray, a swordplay book from Levy and more.

"And for this present…. oh, it looks like this is from your Big Brother Bishop." Mom says this while handing a small present to the birthday girl who looked at me and said, "Thank you Big Brother." before opening the present.

Beneath the wrapping was a simple slide open box which Erza instantly slide open. Within the box was a grey steel locket. Upon picking up the locket and opening it Erza found a group picture of the entire family from Gray's party that was about 3 months ago.

In the picture Mom and I stood behind the kids, Mom giving her trademark kind inhuman smile while I was just giving a decently wide smile that look a tad forced. Natsu and Gray stood next to each other on the right side of the picture, both having their hands over each other's shoulder and giving wide smiles and peace signs. Erza and Cana were to the left of the photo, Cana smiling wide while side hugging Erza and Erza just simply giving the camera a happy smile.

Erza stared at the locket for a few seconds before getting up from her chair and running over and giving me a hug. I simply let out a small chuckle at the hug and lightly returned it before she returned to her seat to open the rest of the presents.

The locket had cost a pretty penny, but it seemed like it was worth it.

I had just finished some gardening. I was thinking of mixing some different poisons up and experimenting with the results. I feel like it would be a fun thing to do and hopefully, I can make some more powerful poisons from it that could be more effective against a high-ranking mage and isn't illegal. Probably going to need some more safety equipment for that though.

I was just making my way through the door to the outdoor section of the house that is in the mansion's entranceway. I had turned to head down the one of the housing hallways when I heard the front door to the mansion open. I look over to see Gray entering the building.

"You get done with your art lesson already?" Gray had been going to Reedus for art lessons after seeing the man's painting of Happy being born. Gray had been good before but with professional help, his painting took on a more detailed and vibrate edge to them. I even heard around town about some people buying one or two of his paintings.

"Ya Reedus had something to do today so he had to cut the lesson short." Gray made to head down another hallway after saying that before pausing and turning to me once again. "Hey Big Bro, would you be willing to be a model?"

I lift an eyebrow at his words. "Like for one of your paintings?" He nods his head yes at my question before opening his mouth to speak once again. "I need to practice drawing real people better. Would you be willing to stand still for an hour or two?"

I couldn't help the slight grimace at his words. I liked helping my little siblings with things but having to stand for more than an hour while not moving was not something I had hoped to do today. I milled the idea over a few times in my head before speaking. "Can I just be sitting for that time?" When Gray once again shakes his head yes, I let out a little sigh and agree to me being his model.

With a tab bit of excitement on his face, Gray leads me to one of his art room. Once inside I promptly get one of the chairs in the room and sit done. After a minute of shifting between different poses, I have one that Gray likes and he starts to get to work painting.

After a few good dozen or so minutes pass, I decided to make some conversation. "So, I heard you sold some of your painting to people in town." Gray stops painting for a moment before continuing, "Ya, I had made a painting in the guild for one of the lessons with Reedus and while carrying it home some women stopped me and offered to buy it. I ended up saying yes and since then a few people have been coming by to look and even buy some of my stuff."

There was a slight tone of pride in the ice mage's voice. I was happy for my younger brother, something like this was the beginning of many artist's dreams. Although I doubt Gray will go to become a full-time artist considering that he enjoys being a part of the guild so much. He always tries to hide it or look disinterested, but I can always see a smile on his face when he thinks no one is looking.

"Good. You make some great stuff. Before long I'm sure you be both a popular mage and artist." Gray promptly stops painting again and from the looks of his is trying to hide his blush behind his canvas. I hear him mumble a thank you before he once again starts painting.

An hour passes slowly, and it seems like Gray's just about done. I was about to stand up and stretch when I hear the door to the room open. Gray and I turn to look and see Elfman standing by the doorway. It looks weird seeing him with his hair down and wearing some nice dress clothes on.

"Ummmm Miss Vern told me to go get you for dinner." He was about to turn when he stops and starts to look around the room. "Woooow those paintings look nice." And once again Gray tries to hide a blush. "Hey umm Gray," Elfman says somewhat shyly "Can you teach me a thing or two about painting?"

At those words, Gray's face becomes very conflicted. It looks like when a person his given something good, but they just can't believe it and think maybe it's a joke. Eventually, a stern but excited look appears on Gray's face as he looks at Elfman.

"I can show you a thing or two, but do you think you're ready for the knowledge of an artist?" Elfman looks a bit apprehensive at those words before he steels himself and gives Gray a nod. "Then I will gift you with the knowledge I have gained over the years." Gray finishes this by standing tall and trying to strike an imposing pose.

I just roll my eyes. And Gray calls Cana dramatic.

I let out a little hum as I look through the book in my hands. Currently, I was in the guild sitting at a table with Wakaba across from me who was doing some reading of his own with a newspaper. The book I was reading was given to me by Makarov after a question I asked him.

Basically, as I was developing my Ring magic a thought came to me. Why does this magic only work on rings? I mean if I use the same process that creates the rings for this magic but make a sword instead then that sword would work with Ring magic, too right? Nope.

In the end, I decided to ask the guild master about the subject, and he gave me a short answer and this book. The short answer? Inbuilt Rules.

What are Inbuilt Rules? Well after reading through the book for a good bit I finally know. Basically, Inbuilt Rules are rules that are built into a type of magic when it is created. Typically, these Inbuilt Rules make the magic stronger but have less variety in what it can do. Inbuilt Rules seem to be like rules in a game, they're there to make things less chaotic and more fair.

Why does Ring magic only use rings? Inbuilt Rules. Why doe's Ice-Make magic only use ice? Inbuilt Rules. Why does Card magic only use cards? Inbuilt Rules. These rules are literally the foundation of all the types of magic in this world.

It does explain why Dragon Slayer magic allows the user to eat the element of their magic but why would the original creator of it make all users have motion sickness?

Inbuilt Rules are not very common knowledge it seems. I have never seen them mentioned in the other books on magic I've read, nor have I heard someone mention it before knowing. From what I can tell it's seems like it's just one of those common knowledge things that have been lost in time. I mean it makes sense that Inbuilt Rules exist so maybe it just one of those things people know but don't really know at the same time?

To be fair there's no internet here so people can't just look up anything they want to at any moment. I was also curious what Inbuilt Rules Illusion magic had and after looking through the book for a bit I came across a section that has a list of rules for the more common and basic magics.

Illusions it seems like only have one rule built within them 'All things created must be false'. Which seems to just simply mean that nothing I create can be real. It does restrict things a good bit but if that's the only rule then I might have more freedom with illusion then I thought. I have been experimenting with my illusions, maybe I need to broaden my perspective a bit.

"Anything interesting in the paper?" I say while putting the book down and rubbing my forehead a bit. All this new information seems to be giving me a slight headache. "Nope. Just a bunch of political nonsense about some new laws the kingdom just put into place." Wakaba says while turning the page and puffing his pipe a little.

"Laxus became an S-class mage a few weeks ago. Anything change or his he still a dick?" Wakaba simply shrugs at my question before saying "Still a dick."

Both of us just sit in silence as we continued to be boring adults. Said boredom was interrupted when the door to the guild was aggressively slammed open and Macao came rushing in with a frantic look on his face. He looked around frantically before setting his eyes on to Wakaba and me. He rushed over while ignoring the questions from the other guild members and grabbed our arms before pulling.

"Come on! I need some support right now!" He says while dragging us to the door. "What's going on?" I ask while trying to not have my arm ripped from my socket. Macao pauses for a second before looking back at us. "My Wife is giving birth."

Oh…. Lovely.

AN: The miracle of life folks. Inbuilt Rules are my way of explaining how the magics of Fairy Tail came to be as well as all the weirdness that some of the magics have like Dragon Slayer's motion sickness. I like the show but I always felt that the magic system wasn't very well developed and having done a lot of research while making this fic as only solidified that opinion for me. Oh and for those of you asking about Bishop's magic and illusion just wait a bit more, I've had ideas for Bishops illusion's since the beginning of the story but wanted to develop them at a realist pace. You'll see some results in a good handful of chapters later.

On a side note, I'm sure some of you have noticed my new profile avatar. It was done by KegiSpringfield on Deviantart, great guy, and a great artist as well. If you have any you want drawn I suggest going to him for a commission, does amazing work for very reasonable prices too. Hopefully, I can get a cover for this story soon.

Thanks once again to volfwildman for being a Beta. A special thanks to Lezaroth for his reviews and messages. And thanks to everyone else for their reviews and support.

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